Next week I'm going to be making a wedding dress from balloons. I have a style in my head which I want to use, but I'm unsure of how to do the back.

I've done a few dresses now, but each time it's always a struggle for the 'wearer' to get the dress on. I want this one to be perfect.

I have a professional model ready to model it, a photographer booked and also a make up artist ready to do the make up. The reason I'm doing it is to make it into a wedding card to leave behind for the bride & groom when I work at wedding events doing décor, shows or twisting. An additional little extra which I'm guessing will be shown around to the wedding guests, which is then advertising my services even more.

I've searched loads on the net for different balloon dresses, but it's difficult to find anyone showing the backs of the dresses unless on a mannequin. Does anyone have any pictures of the backs of a dress you've made to give me some extra ideas please.

Many thanks

When we were at the TMJ this year a lovely lady showed us how to make a dress (I have not tried it yet) and explained how to make the back so you can fasten and unfasten it.
At the back she basically left a tail(dont blow balloon up fully) on the left side on each balloon as she went down the dress and on the right side of the fastening she made 2 small pinch twists, then you can wrap the tails round each pinch twist as you go down the back of the dress. So it a bit like having toggles down the back.
She said it is important to make this fastening go down to where the biggest part of the bum is to make it easy to get in and out of.

I hope that helps, not sure if it makes sense without a photo!

Why didn't I just think of that?? sounds easy now you've explained Twisterella Thank you, I'll give that a try.

Twisterella has explained it perfectly. Here are some more detailed instructions beautifully put together by Just Marie. http://www.balloonhq.com/column/justmarie/may08/

The first time I made a dress I got the 'button' system all wrong and the other Balloonatic, Sarah who had the terrible job of lacing me into it had to improvise. It still turned out just fine and was a joy to wear, as you can see.
 Good luck with the photoshoot. Look forward to seeing the results!

Some great info there Natalie, thank you, going to read it again now in depth. Will post the fianl picture when completed.

Here's the finished dress, thank you again for your help

Wow Bill, it looks very neat!
Do you know how many balloons you used? How long did it take?

Quote from: "twisterella"Wow Bill, it looks very neat!
Do you know how many balloons you used? How long did it take?

Took about 5 hours and just under 2 bags of 260's.  :shock:

wow...nice job!

Stunning, Mr Wiz, just brilliant!  I've tried a few dresses, but the wearer would get done for indecent exposure!!  :oops:   But I'm inspired to try again now... Excellent job.

--Neil